5 MOST IMPORTANT MEDITATIVE ASANA (POSTURES)

INTRODUCTION

There are numerous Asana (postures) in the Yogic tradition. These Asanas can be placed under different categories like Meditative asana, Relaxative asana, Dynamic asana, etc. The quality of meditative postures is that they help the Yoga practitioner to sit for a long time without any instability and uneasiness. At the time of meditation, a person has to internalize his awareness, but if the posture is not comfortable, then this physical instability will create an interruption in internalizing the awareness, so meditative postures are very important in the yogic tradition. In this article, we will discuss the most important meditative postures described in different Yogic texts.

In this article, we will cover

Characteristics of Meditative Postures

When we talk about Meditative postures, then the definition of asana given by Maharishi Patanjali in the second chapter of his Yoga Sutras could be taken as the ideal description of Meditative asana.

स्थिरसुखमासनम्॥४६॥

Sthirasukhamāsanam||46||

Posture (āsanam) (should be) steady (sthira) and pleasant (sukham)

Asana is stable and pleasurable and does not cause any disturbance or discomfort. Then, in the next sutra, Maharishi Patanjali says that asana should be done with effortlessness and focus on the Ananta (limitless) to get perfection in it.

प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम्॥४७॥

Prayatnaśaithilyānantasamāpattibhyām||47||

By means of relaxation (śaithilya) of effort (prayatna) and absorption (samāpattibhyām) in the infinite i.e. “in the endless space around” (ananta)

This description gives you an idea about the ideal meditative asana. We can say that if you are finding it difficult to perform the posture or it is giving any form of pain, then this posture is not suitable for your meditation.

In meditative postures, the back and head remain straight, not straight like a stick as we know that there is a natural shape of the spine, so we need to keep this in an upright position. It brings stability and comfort.

 In meditative postures, the process of inhalation and exhalation occurs freely without any hindrance, and the seeker remains alert, this practice should be effortless, only then the seeker can forget all else and complete meditation or other practices like Pranayama.

Padmasana (Lotus posture)

This is the best asana for meditation. It may appear difficult for beginners, but once you master it, it will be the easiest thing you have ever done. This asana automatically makes you still.

Precautions: People suffering from severe knee pain, back pain, a spine injury, a leg injury, weak ankles, sacral disease, or sciatica should not practice it.

Siddhasana (Accomplished Posture)

It means, power and perfection. This is an excellent asana, just like Padmasana. This asana is practiced by males only.

Precautions: People suffering from severe knee pain, back pain, a spine injury, a leg injury, weak ankles, sacral disease, or sciatica should not practice it.

Svastikasana (Auspicious posture):

The word “swastika” means auspicious. This posture looks similar to the Siddhasana, but this is easier than the Siddhasana.

Precautions: People suffering from severe knee pain, back pain, a spine injury, a leg injury, weak ankles, sacral disease, or sciatica should not practice it.

Ardha padmasana (Half Lotus Posture)

This is the preparatory practice for Padmasana. One can use this as a meditative posture.

Sukhasana (Easy Posture)

This is the most basic posture for meditative practice and is suitable for beginners, but it is not the best because most of the body weight is supported by the small area of contact between the earth and the buttock, which becomes uncomfortable after a while.

Let’s sum up

We cannot do meditation in all the Asanas, which is why special meditative postures have been described in Yoga texts such as Padmasana, Siddhasana, Swastikasana, etc. They fulfill the requirements to sit for practices like meditation and Pranayama. They are specially made to provide unwavering and pleasant steadiness. In the beginning, these meditative postures may appear a little difficult; this is the reason that continuous practice is required to accomplish all these Asanas. Only then will we be able to use these meditative postures to sit for longer periods of time in order to internalize our awareness.